The 34th anniversary photo exhibit on the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution will be hosted by Ayala Malls and presented by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the EDSA People Power Commission.
They are both chaired by Dr. Rene Escalante, under the Office of the President, the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. and CAMERAHAUS.
The photo exhibit is by freelance photojournalist Sonny Camarillo, past president of the Press Photographers of the Philippines and the Camera Club of the Philippines founded in 1928.
This will be Camarillo’s 30th presentation on the ‘live’ images of the revolution spanning 33 years that include a presentation at the Philippine Center in New York City in 2010 conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
During the silver anniversary in 2011 of the historic EDSA People Power, the DFA once again collaborated with Sonny Camarillo for the exhibition of some 35 iconic photographs that were exhibited in all Philippine Embassy, Consular Offices and Diplomatic Posts all over the world, under the supervision of Ambassador Virginia Benavidez.
These photos were also enlarged to billboard sizes that were installed along the highway from Ortigas Avenue to White Plains.
Through the years, this photojournalist has accumulated viewers’ comments that inspire him to mount those ‘a thousand and one images’ that make Filipinos more proud, patriotic and feeling nationalistic. To share some were from Jackie Cahuday of Muntinlupa, “Thank you for this wonderful exhibit, this is truly appreciated. May you keep watch of our history for the sake of our nation and the Filipinos. May God keep and bless you for giving your talent in service of our country.”
Shirley Rocabo of Alabang said “It is a must for the youth and students to see this exhibit about the story of EDSA People Power, complete with before and beyond. This is superb, inspirational, historical and very educational.”
Dr. Alex Castillo suggested “please make this exhibit available in all schools, this is history in its purest form.”
Yugel Losorata a musician and feature writer commented “the EDSA One photographs forever frozen by ace lensman Sonny Camarillo are not only showcases of peoples’ hatred of tyranny.”
“These are heartfelt visual testament on Filipino pride. Looking at the pictures, I suddenly found myself teary-eyed. This is one unexpected moment I felt proud being a Filipino.”
Dematingki Balindong of MSU, Marawi City gladly stated “this undertaking can help us History Majors/Historians to minimize or even eliminate historical blindness as we conduct our research. This collection of greatness must continue. Sonny we thank you for this.”
But an FEU law student Mike Hughes lamented, “I am a political science student, we did not study the EDSA Revolution events, hardly at all. So it’s great blessing to have exposure to these missing pages of history. Thank you to the photographer/biographer as well as the corporations that sponsored.”
This year’s ‘EDSA’ photo exhibit sponsored also by Fil-Estate Management, Inc.; JRS Express and CWC International Corp. is entitled “EDSA 1986 BEFORE AND BEYOND, TULONG NA BAYAN LABAN SA KATIWALIAN.”
It is free for public viewing at the Cinema Lobby, 4th Floor of the Ayala Malls, TRINOMA in Quezon City from February 27 to March 08. Most of the photo exhibits in previous years were held at Ayala Malls like Glorietta, Ayala Alabang Town Center, Fairview Terraces and U. P. Town Center.
On one exhibit a young viewer, Bianca trumpeted, “to the people of my generation, may EDSA One serve as a reminder to all of us to fight for what we believe in. I hope many of us will learn to care about important national issues so that we can have the same passion and dignity. EDSA One is the epitome of Filipino bravery, dignity and love.”
Camarillo has been trying his best to mount the ‘EDSA’ images despite lean sponsorship. His friends and co-members in the prestigious and oldest photo club in Asia, the Camera Club of the Philippines drive him to go on like Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala for the venues; others are Osmundo Furnitures and Antiques of Omeng Esguerra; office and interior expert solution CWC International of Fred Yuson and best Filipino craftsmanship Balikbayan Handicrafts of Johnny Cruz.